Synthetic 3′,4′-Dihydroxyflavone Exerts Anti-Neuroinflammatory Effects in BV2 Microglia and a Mouse Model

Neuroinflammation is an immune response within the central nervous system against various proinflammatory stimuli. Abnormal activation of this response contributes to neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and Huntington disease. Therefore, pharmacologic modulation of abnormal neuroinflammation is thought to be a promising approach to amelioration of neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we evaluated the synthetic flavone derivative 3′,4′-dihydroxyflavone, investigating its anti-neuroinflammatory activity in BV2 microglial cells and in a mouse model. In BV2 microglial cells, 3′,4′-dihydroxyflavone successfully inhibited production of chemokines such as nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 and proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 1 beta, and interleukin 6 in BV2 microglia. It also inhibited phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation. This indicates that the anti-inflammatory activities of 3′,4′-dihydroxyflavone might be related to suppression of the proinflammatory MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways. Similar anti-neuroinflammatory activities of the compound were observed in the mouse model. These findings suggest that 3′,4′-dihydroxyflavone is a potential drug candidate for the treatment of microglia-related neuroinflammatory diseases.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea of Achondroplasia Treated With Continuous Positive Airway Pressure

No abstract available.

The Usefullness of Gastric Pull-Up Reconstruction in Advanced Hypopharyngeal Cancer Surgery / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Various methods of reconstruction have been used after resection of hypopharynx. This study is aimed to evaluate the results and usefullness of gastric pull-up reconstruction. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: The clinical data of 12 hypopharyngeal cancer patients, who were treated with gastric pull-up primary surgery (9 patients, 75.0%) or with salvage surgery (3 patients, 25.0%) after radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy, were studiedfrom 1987 to 2002. This study was a retrospective review of 12 patients (8 males and 4 females, mean age 57.3 years). RESULTS: Nine (75.0%) patients were stage IV and 3 (25.0%) patients were stage III. Total pharyngolaryngoesophagectomies were performed and reconstructed by gastric pullup. Five year survival rate was 57.7%. Five patients died of locoregional recurrence or distant metastasis and 3 patients were lost. The mean time forthe initiation of oral feeding was 32.2 days (range 23 to 58 days). Postoperative complications were hemothorax (1), fistula (2), stenosis (1), hypocalcemia (1), and regurgitation (2). There was no flap failure. CONCLUSION: Although gastric pull-up after resection of advanced hypopharyngeal and cervical esophageal lesions has morbidity and mortality of a combined abdominal, thoracic and cervical operation, flap failure rate is relatively low compared with free flap reconstructions such as jejunal free flap, myocutaneous free flap (radial forearm free flap or anterolateral thigh free flap). Gastric transposition constitutes relatively safe and effective method of restoring the continuity of the upper digestive tract following surgery of extensive carcinoma of the hypopharynx, larynx, and cervical esophagus.

Clinical Characteristics of Multifocal Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Papillary thyroid cancers (PTCs) often present as multifocal tumors. Whether multifocal tumors are associated with increased risk of recurrence and mortality is still the subject of controversy. The aim of current study was to individualize factors associated with multifocality of papillary thyroid cancer and determine the clinical significance of multifocal thyroid cancer. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: We undertook a retrospective study of 403 patients treated between January, 2003 and June, 2007 for papillary thyroid carcinoma by total thyroidectomy and central compartment neck dissection (n=403) with or without comprehensive lateral neck dissection. There were 342 women and 61 men whose mean age was 47.3 years old. Following criteria were used to study the pattern of and factors related with multifocality : sex, age, extracapsular extension, central compartment lymph node metastasis, the involvement of lateral neck lymph node, AMES risk group, distant metastasis. RESULTS: Of those factors, sex (p=0.0481), central compartment lymph node metastasis (p=0.0007), the involvement of lateral neck lymph node (p=0.0001) were significantly related factors for multifocality of papillary thyroid cancer. Age, primary tumor size, AMES risk group were not significantly related with multifocality. Bilateral or contralateral central compartment lymph node metastasis occurred more frequently in multifocal PTCs (64.0%) than solitary PTCs (46.9)(p=0.012). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the multifocal tumors in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma are associated with increased risk of bilateral central compartment and lateral cervical lymph node metastasis. Therefore, total thyroidectomy and bilateral central compartment lymph node dissection should be recommended as a routine procedure in multifocal papillary carcinoma

Detection of Fungus and Bacteria in Otitis Media with Effusion of Children Using Polymerase Chain Reaction and Its Correlation of Clinical Factors / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Several hypotheses have been proposed in the etiopathogenesis of otitis media with effusion (OME). The bacterial or fungal infection may also play a major role in the pathogenesis of OME. To investigate the relationship between bacteria and fungi as pathogens in OME and to analyze the incidence, the authors evaluated the pathogens of OME using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique, which is known to be more sensitive and specific than conventional bacterial and fungal culture. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Twenty-three children (thirty ears), who were diagnosed with OME and had underwent ventilation tube insertion, were evaluated in the department of ORL-HNS, University Hospital, from May 2006 to March 2007. The middle ear effusion, obtained during the procedure, was evaluated for the identification of bacteria and fungi by PCR. RESULTS: Among 30 ears, viable pathogenic bacteria were detected in 20 ears (66.6%) and fungi in 13 ears (43.3%). The bacterial pathogens included Haemophilus influenzae (13 ears), followed by Streptococcus pneumonize (6 ears). The fungi detected from PCR were Candida albicans (4 ears-30.8%), Aspergillus niger (2 ears-15.4%) and Paecilomyces lilacinus (2 ears-15.4%). Additional pathogens include Basidiomycete yeast, Saccharamycete sp., Eurotium rubrum, Dothioraceae sp. and Stemphylium solani. Detection of fungal DNA was more common in patients with cleft palate and in recurrent cases with statistical significance. CONCLUSION: The use of PCR of middle ear effusion is effective for the detection of pathogens in patients with OME. While bacteria were thought to be the causative pathogen, this study suggests the etiological role of fungi in the pathogenesis of OME. However, the relationship between fungi and OME requires further studies.